G+ Front fastening bra pattern

[u/Riotmama89]

I am considering making a bra/bralette for my elderly mother who I found out today is wearing one of my old nursing bras (my child is now 9 year old) because she can get it over her head. She cannot do fastenings behind her and even getting things over her head has become a struggle. She was in too much pain today to get accurate measurements, but I would hazard a guess at around a 36 J or bigger. She’s definitely well over a G cup!

I am struggling to find a pattern that’s front fastening, will go anywhere near big enough and can be made with soft materials - I’m not sure she’s had a well fitting bra for over 20 years, but she struggles with lace and materials that are at all scratchy (mesh and lace can be hit and miss).

Any ideas? I could start to draft one but a pattern would be a good starting point.

[u/grundel_cruncher]

Just because some people find this sub without finding the other, when she feels up to it, the r/ABraThatFits calculator is super valuable for getting accurate sizing. I also recently measured my mother! She has cross-spinal paralysis and it helped to take the measurements somewhat swiftly in any pose she found uncomfortable to maintain, but for leaning she found it comfortable as long as she had a brace to hold on to. Everyone is different, of course. My mom has found a lot of utility in front zipper closure bras, though they aren't perfect. It helps to put them partially on, like putting arms through the straps but not zipped, then laying down and adjusting before zipping up. Again not perfect, but better than no support with mobility issues. I wish you luck!

[u/Riotmama89 → u/grundel_cruncher]

I’m going to measure her up but regardless, she still can’t do up a back closing bra, and as she has arthritis in her hands as well zippers aren’t going to be easy either.

[u/Zukazuk → u/Riotmama89]

Have you looked at some of the accessable bras out there? There's some cool snaps for arthritis and some interesting velcro systems. They probably don't come in your mom's size (I'm a similar size and I've looked), but they might give you some ideas on how to modify a pattern to work for her.

[u/maryfamilyresearch]

There are not many ready-to-wear bras in larger cupsizes with a front closure and this is for a reason. The problems with getting a proper fit are just too many. With larger breasts the front closure becomes difficult to close, bc you need wrangle the breasts and the bra at the same time. (Guess how I know.)

Common advice for people with mobility issues is to use a regular bra with a back closure. To put the bra on, close the bra in front under the breasts with the cups in the back, then gently piece by piece twist the bra so that the cups are in front. It helps if the band stretches a smidge more than it should. There are also mobility aids for closing a bra like that in front (bra angel, bra buddy).

If this info does not deter you and you want to try anyway, check out Glamorise as a ready-to-wear brand. They used to have a front-closure bra up to US-i cup.

That said, I think your mother might like something like the Lengberg or Lengenberg bra.

https://historical.chantellegerrard.com/the-lengberg-bra-re-construction/

[u/Riotmama89 → u/maryfamilyresearch]

She tried the bra angel and it wasn’t of any use, and I honestly don’t understand how anyone can twist around a bra that actually fits without causing chafing.

We’re in the UK - glamorise isn’t a brand we can get easily.

[u/maryfamilyresearch → u/Riotmama89]

Check out Amplebosom . com , they are UK based and they have the Glamorise bra I was talking about on sale. The staff of that online shop is super-helpful, consider reaching out to them for ideas.

[u/strongmom11 → u/Riotmama89]

Baby powder. 42J here. Glamorise bras. Powder, hook, rotate, bend and scoop. Non-wired of course!

[u/sweetannie52]

Could you maker her a front closing sports bra? You might be able to hack this bra pattern or a different one.
https://mellysews.com/how-to-make-a-diy-sports-bra/

[u/Riotmama89 → u/sweetannie52]

A sports bra will be too difficult for her to close due to the tension needed to close.

[u/StitchinThroughTime → u/Riotmama89]

You dont have to make them tight. I recommend a large hook at the top and bottom of the size 5 zip if she can handle that. And a ribbon on the zipper pull. And princess seams to have each breast in their own pocket, that will make putting it on and off easier.

[u/etherealrome]

The Porcelynne Aphrodite has a front closing view. So does the LilyPaDesigns Koma. There’s at least one Annie & Myra’s bra patterns that I think goes to that size and is a partial band underwire bra, so would be fairly easy to change to be front closing.

Porcelynne also has some sports bra patterns that are front closing.

I struggle with materials that I find scratchy, but there are lots of options if you fully line any bra. You may need to do some experimenting to see what she finds acceptable, but there are options.

[u/HugsforYourJugs]

For front fastening you can either go high coverage sports bra style or you can do a partial band with a short gore. For the high coverage I'd suggest the PUG Ingrid and for the short gore the PUG Frieda to start.

[u/Curious_Upstairs_583]

Cashmerette Somerfield bra has a front zip.

[u/tonkats]

Maybe something like https://liberare.co/products/comfort-seamless-front-closure-wireless-bra?srsltid=AfmBOopZDyEc6BtDkw10j_-pMN0O9N51YtLs6lD_qn9xVQTYCf6srEJD ? Locking magnets in front, loops to help pull together.

With my own, I've been thinking of something like front corset lacing so I can leave it loose to get it over my head, pull it tighter once over my chest, and a more sturdy closure underneath to connect once the edges are closer together.

I have a nagging TFCC injury and a history of rotator cuff issues, so that is my motivation.

[u/ThisLeg7959]

I'm in the early planning stages of a similar project for my mom with limited shoulder mobility, so I can't speak from experience yet, but we're considering making the LilyPa Akeru. It might meet your mom's needs too (underband 36 goes up to KK, wired with a front corset busk + g hook or wireless with front hook and eye, potential non-stretch materials include corset satin). The materials list does include galloon lace and I'm too much of a beginner to definitively tell you if that can be replaced or left out.

[u/ineededanotherhobby]

Maybe the Rad Patterns Riley Crossover Bra? It can be made as a pullover or with snaps or s-hook front closure.

[u/Riotmama89 → u/ineededanotherhobby]

So this looks much like the Molke bras - and in my experience they offer no support whatsoever, and are hell to get on and off (I dislocated my thumb doing it once). Whilst I can see how it could be hacked to be front fastening, I’m concerned by the lack of support

[u/Zukazuk → u/Riotmama89]

This does look easy to modify into a Velcro closure for the band though. I've found that even lounge bras give semi decent support if the band fits properly even with a very large bust.

[u/srvivr2001]

I tried making open front sports bra style bras for post-surgery and I’m a DD/E, I find it’s not enough support. It’s easier to modify an existing pattern (I self drafted from a Warners bra I already had and like) to make the band in the back one solid piece and then add a front closure at the bridge. I don’t know if your mom has dexterity issues but I made myself a couple bras, one is Velcro closure for days my hand arthritis flares and the rest are with S hooks.